Towels

In tournament play a towel should be made available for wiping moisture on the court surfaces. Reasonable time should be allowed by the referee for this purpose only. Players should obtain a towel and proceed directly to the surface to be wiped, then directly return the towel. Players are not to interrupt this procedure to wipe any part of their body or eye guards. The respective 10 seconds allowed per Rule 4.1.E.Time and regular time outs are for this purpose.

In the event the referee determines reasonable time is being exceeded or abused he/she shall request the towel be returned, then declare “play ball” and proceed explicitly per Rule 4.1.E.Time; that is, the receiver shall be allowed a maximum of 10 seconds to assume a receiving position, after which the score shall be called and the server allowed a maximum of 10 seconds to put the ball in play.

Any failure to adhere to or abuse of this procedure may be subject to Rule 4.9.A.9 Technical. At no time is a player allowed to leave the court except at the referee’s direction to directly obtain a towel and return directly to the court. A player otherwise leaving the court is subject to Rule 3.4.D.3) Forfeitures.